The South Shore Bird Club (SSBC) was founded in 1946 and the first members set out to explore the birds and birding habitats of the South Shore of Massachusetts.
We concentrate on field trips for both members and non members. Most trips involve car-pooling with occasional canoe trips or beach hikes. Non-members are always welcome.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Dragonflies at Myles Standish State Forest, Plymouth - 8/2/2015

Eastern Amberwing

Nice time of the year for the club to change pace as bird activity now is relatively slow. Nine people (including a family from France) met at Myles Standish State Forest to sample the coastal plain ponds that are surrounded by the extensive pine barrens here.

Weather conditions were excellent, with fair skies, warm temps, and a cooling breeze at times. Odes (Dragonflies & Damselflies), as we call them, are most active on warm, sunny days. They did not disappoint!

Martha's Pennant

After our meet and greet, we loaded up the vehicles and eventually (after a couple of wrong turns!) made it to our first stop, Doctor's Pond. Thanks Pete and Bill for getting me there! Maybe the leader should have referenced the map more closely.

Most of the representative coastal plain species were present along the pond shores and in adjacent upland areas. A few of the impressive Comet Darner, a large Darner-type dragonfly (males have a green-colored thorax and a brick red abdomen) were seen. In total, we visited three ponds (Doctor's, New Grassy, and New Long Ponds) in 4+ hours. Not much ground gets covered when looking at insects because there is so much to see!

Common Sanddragon

As alway, we kept track of birds. Although bird song is much reduced at this time of the year, there were some nice birds around. An adult Bald Eagle was soaring high overhead, a young Red-shouldered Hawk glided over one of the ponds, and a Black & White Warbler put in a welcome appearance.